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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2000
Contact:
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240 (202) 523-3240
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom wrote Friday, July 28 to Secretary of State Madeleine…
USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett made the following remarks at the announcement of the Defending Freedoms Project on December 6, 2012, a project of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with USCIRF and Amnesty International USA. …
...that the Eritrean government, one of the most repressive governments in the world where a recent coup attempt just failed, has placed Eritrean Orthodox Church Patriarch Abune Antonios under house arrest since January 2006?Eritrea has been called the…
Mar 15, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 14, 2013| By USCIRF
WASHINGTON D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today called for Saudi Arabia to release Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani and Dr. Abdullah bin…
Mar 18, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONMarch 18, 2013| By: Katrina Lantos Swett and M. Zuhdi Jasser
The following op-ed appeared in Roll Call on March 15, 2013.
While the world remains riveted to Egypt"s challenges and Syria"s…
Apr 30, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 30, 2013| By USCIRF
Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal advisory body created by the International Religious Freedom…
USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett gave the following remarks at a conference, cosponsored by USCIRF and the National Endowment for Democracy on May 7, 2013Introduction
Thank you for that kind introduction.
It truly is a pleasure to join you today at the…
May 21, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 21, 2013 | By USCIRF
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the State Department's release of its 2012 International Religious Freedom…
…that the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with USCIRF and Amnesty International USA, has launched the Defending Freedoms Project to increase attention to and support for human rights and religious freedom around the world?Through the…
Jun 26, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONJune 26, 2013 |By Katrina Lantos Swett
Editor"s note: Katrina Lantos Swett is the chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The views expressed are the writer"s own.
The…
Jul 31, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 31, 2013 | By USCIRF
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply concerned by reports that Raif Badawi, a Saudi website editor, was convicted and…
Sep 6, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONSeptember 5, 2013 | By Robert P. George and Katrina Lantos Swett
The following op-ed appeared in The Hill on September 5, 2013.
Last week, on August 26, Saudi Arabia's appointed Shura Council…
Sep 25, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
September 20, 2013 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on September 20, 2013.
As the UN General Assembly begins its new session,…
The Christian Science Monitor -- JFK's call for religious freedom can transform places like Pakistan
Nov 8, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 7, 2013 | By Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett
The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on November 7, 2013.
As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of…
Dec 3, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONDecember 2, 2013 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in the Providence Journal on November 30, 2013.
Washington - As the nation celebrates Thanksgiving, Jewish Americans are also…
Dec 11, 2013
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
December 11, 2013 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and Mary Ann Glendon
The following op-ed appeared in Reuters & the Chicago Tribune on December 10, 2013.
December 10 marks Human Rights Day,…
Jan 28, 2014
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
January 27, 2014 | By Robert P. George
The following op-ed appeared in The Hill on January 27, 2014.
I testified before the Congressional Tom Lantos Human…
Mar 26, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 26, 2014 | USCIRF
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged President Obama during his visit to Saudi Arabia later this week to raise religious freedom…
Apr 14, 2014
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONApril 14, 2014 | By Katrina Lantos Swett and M. Zuhdi Jasser
The following op-ed appeared in the Global Post on April 10, 2014.
WASHINGTON — Last week's Formula 1 automotive racing event…
Jan 9, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply disturbed by the news that a Saudi blogger, Raif Badawi, was publicly flogged 50 times today in…
Many countries around the world have laws that punish expression deemed blasphemous, defamatory of religion, or contemptuous or insulting to religion or religious symbols, figures, or feelings. The application of these laws has resulted in…
Jan 20, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 20, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This January marks the eighth anniversary of the illegal removal of Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch Abune Antonios from his position as head of the…
Feb 27, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 27, 2015 | USCIRF
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expresses deep concern about reports this week in both Arabic and English language…
Jun 11, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 11, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) wrote to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia to urge him to pardon Raif Badawi and…
Aug 18, 2015
FOR YOUR INFORMATIONAugust 18, 2015 | Robert P. George and Thomas J. Reese
The following op-ed appeared in The Christian Science Monitor on August 18, 2015
Is Eritrea guilty of crimes against humanity?
The question…
Jan 5, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 5, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the execution on January 2 of a prominent Shi’a cleric in Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Nimr al-…
Jan 19, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2016
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) solemnly marks the 10 year anniversary tomorrow of the illegal removal and detention of Eritrean…
Apr 20, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes Secretary of State John Kerry’s re-designation on April 15, 2016 of Burma,…
May 4, 2016
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
May 4, 2016 | Robert P. George and Hannah Rosenthal
The following op/ed appeared in USA Today on May 3, 2016
Should it be a crime to deny the existence of God?
In the Russian city…
USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J. testified on July 15, 2016 before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing titled "Blasphemy Laws and Censorship by States and Non-State Actors: Examining Global Threats to Freedom of Expression."
From the…
Jul 28, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2016
(USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J. holds up a picture of Raif Badawi at a July 2016 Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on blasphemy laws)
WASHINGTON, D.C…
Oct 27, 2016
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
October 27, 2016 | By Thomas J. Reese, S.J. and Daniel Mark
The following op-ed appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer on October 27, 2016
Abdul Shakoor is a member of the…
Jan 18, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 20, 2017 marks the 11-year anniversary of the Eritrean government’s illegal removal of Abune Antonios as the rightful Patriarch of the…
Jul 19, 2017
The following op-ed originally appeared in Religion News Service on July 19, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioner Thomas J. Reese, S.J.
(RNS) — Stories speak to the best and worst in all of us,…
Jul 24, 2017
The following op-ed appeared in Deseret News on July 23, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioner Clifford D. May
Last year, Saudi Arabia unveiled Saudi Vision 2030, a bold plan to transform the kingdom’s oil-…
Sep 28
WHEN:
Sep 28th 3:00pm
-
Sep 28th 4:30pm…
Oct 19, 2017
The following op-ed appeared in The Washington Examiner on September 26, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioner Thomas J. Reese
Torture. Arbitrary arrests and detention without charges. A ban…
Nov 16, 2017
The following originally op-ed appeared in The Hill on November 16, 2017
By former USCIRF Commissioners Daniel Mark and Sandra Jolley
People love lists. And when those lists are in the news,…
Mar 24, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2018
USCIRF Study Reveals Numerous Passages in Saudi Textbooks Inciting Violence and Intolerance
“USCIRF is disappointed to find inflammatory content remains in…
On April 18, 2018, Commissioner Father Thomas Reese testified before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing on the refugee crisis in Eritrea.In his testimony, Chair Reese discussed USCIRF's Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project.…
Click here to view the report Study Revealed Numerous Passages in Saudi Textbooks Advocating Intolerance and Violence.Summary
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had an independent contractor review 12 Saudi high school…
Oct 4, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 4, 2018
U.S. Delegation Is First Ever to Meet with “Religious Police” in Saudi Arabia
USCIRF Delegation Holds Wide Ranging Meetings During Site Visit
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a…
The full report may be found here.
Summary of Findings
This follow-on contracted study reviews 22 middle and high school textbooks published by the Saudi government for the 2017-2018 academic year, including the 12 high school books previously reviewed…
Nov 26, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 26, 2018
USCIRF Condemns Reappearance of Content Promoting Hatred and Violence in Saudi Textbooks
New report provides evidence of reappearance of inflammatory content against…
Dec 12, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 12, 2018
State Department Names the World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedom
USCIRF Praises CPC Designation of Pakistan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
Yes…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
Yes…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
Yes…
Additional Name(s):
Raif bin Muhammad Badawi, Raef bin Mohammed Badawi, رائف بن محمد بدوي
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Orthodox
Reports of Medical Neglect:
Yes…
Apr 26, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2019
USCIRF Calls on State Department to Lift Saudi CPC Waiver After Mass Shi’a Execution
USCIRF 2019 Annual Report Cites Numerous Violations and Recommends Additional…
Jun 24
WHEN:
Jun 24th 6:59pm…
On June 27, 2019, Vice Chair Nadine Maenza testified at a Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on violations of the right to freedom of religion of Christian communities around the world.Written Testimony
Hearing Webpage
Jul 30, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 30, 2019
USCIRF Vice Chair Nadine Maenza Calls for Release of Imprisoned Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi
His Continued Imprisonment Belies Saudi Government Claims of Greater…
Aug 12, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 12, 2019
USCIRF Applauds Announced Changes to Saudi Male Guardianship System
USCIRF Urges Saudi Government to Release Imprisoned Supporters of Women’s Rights
WASHINGTON, DC…
Jul 24
WHEN:
Jul 24th 1:00pm
-
Jul 24th 1:00pm…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Protestant…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Protestant…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Protestant…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Protestant…
Additional Name(s):
محمد بن حسن الحبيب
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mabahith Prison, Dammam
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Abha Prison
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab
Religion or Belief:
Muslim – Unspecified/Other…
Sep 20, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2019
USCIRF calls for immediate Release of blogger Raif Badawi
WASHINGTON DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns Saudi Arabia’s…
Additional Name(s):
أحمد الشامري
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Al Qaisumah Detention Center
Perpetrator:
Saudi Arabia
Ethnic Group:
Arab…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Adi Abeto Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Female
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture:
No…
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Male
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
Mai Serwa Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…
Gender:
Female
Current Location:
Adi Abeto Prison
Perpetrator:
Eritrea
Religion or Belief:
Christian – Jehovah's Witness…